Snowboard with steering control

ABSTRACT

A snowboard apparatus comprising a snowboard having a top surface, a front lengthwise end portion, a rear lengthwise end portion, and a bottom surface for contacting snow. The snowboard apparatus further comprises front and rear bindings attached to the top surface of the snowboard. The snowboard comprises a front snowboard portion between the front binding and the front lengthwise end portion and a rear snowboard portion between the rear binding and rear lengthwise end portion. The snowboard apparatus further comprises front and rear flexible cords attached to the snowboard adjacent to the front and rear lengthwise end portions, respectively. Each flexible cord has a length that is sufficient to allow a rider to grasp the front cord with one hand and grasp the rear cord with the other hand.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to boards used for sports such as snowboards and surfboards.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Snowboarding has become a very popular winter sport. Snowboarding has also become one of the main sporting events at the Winter Olympics. Snowboarding can be very difficult for beginners. Furthermore, skilled snowboard riders are always looking for ways to enhance their comfort, control and overall enjoyment when snowboarding.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a steering control for use with a snowboard.

[0006] It is another an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved snowboard that facilitates the training of beginning snowboarders.

[0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved snowboard that provides for enhanced control of the snowboard.

[0008] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved snowboard that provides for enhanced comfort during use.

[0009] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved snowboard that is simple to use.

[0010] Thus, in one aspect, the present invention is directed to a snowboard apparatus comprising a snowboard having a top surface, a front lengthwise end portion, a rear lengthwise end portion and a bottom surface for contacting snow. The snowboard apparatus further comprises front and rear bindings attached to the top surface of the snowboard. The snowboard comprises a front snowboard portion between the front binding and the front lengthwise end portion and a rear snowboard portion between the rear binding and rear lengthwise end portion. The snowboard apparatus also includes at least one front flexible cord attached to the front snowboard portion wherein the flexible cord has a length that is sufficient to allow a rider to grasp the front flexible cord with one hand, and at least one rear flexible cord attached to the rear snowboard portion wherein the rear flexible cord has a length that is sufficient to allow a rider to grasp the rear flexible cord with the other hand.

[0011] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the ensuing description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The foregoing features of the present invention will become more readily apparent and may be understood by referring to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013]FIG. 1 is a side, perspective view of the snowboard apparatus of the present invention.

[0014]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the snowboard apparatus of FIG. 1 showing a rider thereon.

[0015]FIG. 3 is a plan view showing one embodiment of a fastening member used to removably attach flexible cords to the snowboard, the fastening member and flexible cords being part of one embodiment of the steering control of the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 4 is a view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

[0017]FIG. 5 is a partial, side elevational view illustrating cushion members positioned between the snowboard and bindings.

[0018]FIG. 6 is an exploded view illustrating how an existing snowboard is retrofitted with a steering control in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

[0019]FIG. 7 is a partial, side elevational view in cross-section showing the steering control, depicted in FIG. 6, attached to an existing snowboard.

[0020]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a surf board in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown the snowboard apparatus of the present invention. Snowboard apparatus 10 comprises a snowboard 12 having a top surface 14, a front lengthwise end portion 16, a rear lengthwise end portion 18 and a bottom surface 20 (see FIG. 5) for contacting snow. Front lengthwise end portion 16 has a generally curved perimetrical edge. Similarly, rear lengthwise end portion 18 has a generally curved perimetrical edge. Snowboard apparatus 10 further includes front and rear bindings 22 and 24, respectively, attached to the top surface 14 of the snowboard 12. Bindings 22 and 24 are well known in the art and therefore are not described in detail. Snowboard 12 comprises a front portion 26 between the front binding 22 and the front lengthwise end 16 and a rear portion 28 between the rear binding 24 and rear lengthwise end 18.

[0022] Snowboard apparatus 10 further comprises a steering control comprising front flexible cords 30 a and 30 b, and rear flexible cords 32 a and 32 b. Flexible cords 30 a and 30 b have a pair of ends that are attached to the snowboard 12 at the front portion 26 of snowboard 12. In a preferred embodiment, flexible cords 30 a and 30 b are attached to front lengthwise end portion 16. Flexible cords 32 a and 32 b have a pair of ends that are attached to the snowboard 12 at the rear portion 28 of snowboard 12. In a preferred embodiment, flexible cords 32 a and 32 b are attached to rear lengthwise end portion 18.

[0023] Each flexible cord 30 a, 30 b, 32 a, and 32 b has a length that is sufficient to allow a rider 34 (see FIG. 2) to grasp the front cords 30 a and 30 b with one of the rider's hand and grasp the rear cords 32 a and 32 b with the other rider's hand.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the ends of the front cords 30 a, 30 b are removably attached to the front lengthwise end portion 16, and the ends of the rear cords 32 a, 32 b are removably attached to rear lengthwise end portion 18. In one embodiment, each of the flexible cords 30 a, 30 b, 32 a and 32 b comprises an elastic cord. In another embodiment, each of the flexible cords 30 a, 30 b, 32 a and 32 b comprises a bungee cord. In a further embodiment, each of the flexible cords 30 a, 30 b, 32 a and 32 b is configured to have minimal elasticity and is fabricated from durable material such as nylon.

[0025] In another embodiment, snowboard apparatus 10 comprises only one front flexible cord instead of two front flexible cords. Similarly, only one rear flexible cord can be used instead of two rear flexible cords.

[0026] Flexible cords 30 a, 30 b, 32 a and 32 b can be configured to have a length that is suited to the size of rider 34. Alternatively, the length of the cords can be adjusted to the particular rider by using a knot.

[0027] Snowboard apparatus 10 further includes handle members 35 and 36. Handle member 35 is attached to front cords 30 a and 30 b. Handle member 36 is attached to rear cords 32 a and 32 b. In one embodiment, handle members 35 and 36 are generally cylindrical in shape. Handles 35 and 36 can be fabricated from any one of a variety of lightweight materials such as wood, rubber, plastic, aluminum, etc.

[0028] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, in one embodiment, snowboard apparatus 10 further comprises a pair of fastening members 37 and 38. Fastening members 37 and 38 are removably attached to lengthwise end portions 16 and 18, respectively. The ends of flexible cords 30 a and 30 b are attached to fastening member 37. Similarly, the ends of flexible cords 32 a and 32 b are attached to fastening member 38. Any suitable technique may be used to attach the ends of the flexible cords 30 a and 30 b to fastening member 37 and to attach flexible cords 32 a and 32 b to fastening member 38. In one embodiment, swivel-type connectors are used to fasten the ends of flexible cords 30 a and 30 b to fastening member 37, and to fasten the ends of flexible cords 32 a and 32 b to fastening member 38. In a preferred embodiment, flexible cords 30 a and 30 b are removably attached to fastening member 37, and flexible cords 32 a and 32 b are removably attached to fastening member 38.

[0029] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, in one embodiment, fastening member 37 includes channel or pocket 39 that is sized for frictionally receiving the rounded edge of the lengthwise end portion 16. Channel 39 has a shape that conforms to the rounded or curved perimetrical edge of front lengthwise end portion 16. In one embodiment, fastening member 37 includes eyelets 40 to which front cords 30 a and 30 b are attached. Similarly, in one embodiment, fastening member 38 includes a channel, not shown but similar to channel 39, that is sized for frictionally receiving the rounded edge of the lengthwise end portion 18. The channel of fastening member 38 has a shape that conforms to the rounded or curved perimetrical edge of rear lengthwise end portion 18. In one embodiment, fastening member 38 includes eyelets 41 to which rear cords 32 a and 32 b are attached.

[0030] A user may remove fastening members 37 and 38 if he or she wishes to use snowboard 12 without flexible cords 30 a, 30 b, 32 a and 32 b by sliding fastening members 37 and 38 off of the perimetrical edges of front and rear lengthwise end portions 16 and 18, respectively. In a preferred embodiment, fastening members 37 and 38 are fabricated from plastic. However, fastening members 37 and 38 may be fabricated from other suitable materials having the required strength, such as non-corrosive metal.

[0031] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, there is shown another embodiment of the steering control of the present invention. In this embodiment, the steering control comprises a plurality of clip members 42 and fastening member 44. Fastening member 44 is configured to have a curved or arc-like perimeter to conform to the rounded or curved perimetrical edge of front lengthwise end portion 16. Fastening member 44 is positioned on top surface 14 of snowboard 12. Fastening member 44 includes top surface 46. Top surface 46 defines and a plurality of groups of teeth 48. Each clip member 42 is generally “U” shaped and has an interior region 50 sized for receiving a portion of snowboard 12 and a portion of fastening member 44. Each clip member 42 further includes a generally cylindrical flange member 52 that extends into interior region 50 and is sized to engage teeth 48. Each clip member 42 further comprises friction member 54 located within interior region 50. Friction member 54 has a relatively high coefficient of friction and provides a frictional relationship between clip member 42 and bottom surface 20 of snowboard 12. Friction member 54 can be made from a variety of materials that exhibit a relatively high degree of friction, e.g. rubber. Each clip member 42 clips over the top of fastening member 44 such that flange member 52 engages teeth 48, and friction member 54 frictionally contacts bottom surface 20 of snowboard 12. Each clip member 42 is configured to have some resiliency in order to allow it to be attached to fastening member 44 and snowboard 12, as described above, and removed by the user in the event the user wishes to use snowboard 12 with the steering control. In one embodiment, fastening member 44 is fabricated from spring metal. Flange members 52 and teeth 48 cooperate to allow the position of clip members 42 to be adjusted with respect to fastening member 44. In one embodiment, fastening member 44 includes protruding portions 60 and 62 (see FIG. 6) to which cords 30 a and 30 b, respectively, are attached.

[0032] The use of a plurality of clips members 42 provide a safety advantage in that if one or two of clip members 42 should become disengaged from fastening member 44, the remaining clip members 42 would prevent fastening member 44 from falling off snowboard 12.

[0033] It is to be understood that a fastening member (not shown) and a plurality of clip members (not shown), substantially the same as fastening member 44 and clip members 42, respectively, are also used on the rear portion of snowboard 12. Rear cords 32 a and 32 b are attached to the aforementioned fastening member on the rear portion of snowboard 12 in the same way front flexible cords 30 a and 30 b are attached to fastening member 44.

[0034] The resiliency of clip members 42 enable a user to remove clip members 42 from fastening member 44 and to remove the clip members (not shown) from the fastening member (not shown) on the rear of the snowboard in order to use snowboard 12 in a normal fashion without steering control.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 5, snowboard apparatus 10 further comprises shock absorbing cushion members 70 between top surface 14 of snowboard 12 and bindings 22 and 24 (only the cushion member between binding 22 and top surface 14 is shown in FIG. 5). In one embodiment, each shock absorbing cushion member 70 comprises a foam pad. In another embodiment, each cushion member 70 comprises a rubber pad. Each cushion member 70 may be configured as a shock absorbing support pad that is described in Published U.S. Patent Application No. US 2001/0001519, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0036] The snowboard apparatus of the present invention facilitates the riding of snowboards. Essentially, flexible cords 30 a, 30 b, 32 a and 32 b connect the rider's body to snowboard 12. Snowboard apparatus 10 helps the rider turn by setting the rider up for the turn. When a rider desires to execute a turn, the rider begins the turn by twisting his or her upper body so as to exert a pulling force on flexible cords 30 a, 30 b, 32 a and 32 b. As a result, a sideways force is created on snowboard 12 thereby enabling the rider to make a substantially more controlled turn while lessening the force required to be exerted by the rider's feet. After the initial twist, the rider's body is positioned in a way which facilitates the turning of snowboard 12 underneath the rider. Rider 34 (see FIG. 2) can turn left by slightly leaning back and pulling front handle member 35 behind himself while simultaneously pulling rear handle member 36 in front of himself. As a result, snowboard 12 responds by turning left. The rider can turn right by slightly leaning forward and pulling the rear handle member 36 behind himself while pulling the front handle member 35 in front of himself. As a result, snowboard 12 responds by turning right.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 2, rider 34 can also use handle member 35 to produce tensile forces on either front cord 30 a or 30 b individually. Similarly, the rider can use handle member 36 to produce tensile forces on either rear cord 32 a or 32 b individually. For example, rider 34 can aid in the making a left turn by using his wrists to turn handle members 35 and 36 to produce tension in cords 30 a and 32 a. Rider 34 can aid in the making of a right turn by using his wrists to turn handle members 35 and 36 to produce tension in cords 30 b and 32 b.

[0038] In an alternate embodiment, handle members 35 and 36 are not used and the upper ends of the flexible cords 30 a, 30 b, 32 a and 32 b are fastened to the rider's body with a belt or other suitable device.

[0039] The present invention can be implemented either as a retrofit to existing snowboards or as a newly manufactured snowboard apparatus. If the present invention is to be implemented as a newly manufactured snowboard apparatus, the snowboard apparatus can be manufactured with integral fastening devices to enable cords 30 a, 30 b, 32 a and 32 b to be removably attached to the snowboard.

[0040] Thus, snowboard apparatus 10 provides many advantages. Specifically, snowboard apparatus 10 helps beginning riders learn how to ride a snowboard. Snowboard apparatus 10 promotes good turning habits because it helps the rider set up for his or her turns and also provides the rider with extra stability and balance. Snowboard apparatus 10 also helps riders turn and maintain stability in icy conditions because the rider can use his or her upper body to ride snowboard 12 and make the turns. The rider can use his or her wrists, via handle members 35 and 36, to ride the edges of the snowboard 12 and make cleaner turns. The cooperation of flexible cords 30 a, 30 b, 32 a and 32 b and the use of the cushion members 70 between the snowboard and bindings provide for a more comfortable riding style. Flexible cords 30 a, 30 b, 32 a and 32 b provide substantially more stability and control thereby enabling the riders to be more aggressive when making turns and also facilitate passage of the snowboard 12 over flat patches.

[0041] Although the foregoing description is in terms of a snowboard, it is to be understood that the concept of the present invention can be applied to surfboards. For example, in FIG. 8, there is shown surfboard 75 having a top surface 76, a bottom surface (not shown) and flexible cord members 80 a, 80 b, 82 a, and 82 b removably attached to top surface 76 by using attachment points (not shown) but similar to the attachment points used when surfboards are towed into large waves. These attachment points are common knowledge within the field. In this embodiment, and flexible cord members 80 a, 80 b, 82 a, and 82 b function basically the same as flexible cords 30 a, 30 b, 32 a, and 32 b. Handle 85 is attached to flexible cords 80 a and 80 b. Handle 86 is attached to flexible cords 82 a and 82 b.

[0042] The principals, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the present invention have been described in the foregoing specification. The invention which is intended to be protected herein should not, however, be construed as limited to the particular forms disclosed, as these are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Variations in changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing detailed description should be considered exemplary in nature and not limited to the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the attached claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A snowboard board apparatus comprising: a snowboard having a top surface, a front lengthwise end portion, a rear lengthwise end portion and a bottom surface for contacting snow; front and rear bindings attached to the top surface of the snowboard; said snowboard comprising a front snowboard portion between the front binding and the front lengthwise end portion and a rear snowboard portion between the rear binding and rear lengthwise end portion; and at least one front flexible cord attached to the front snowboard portion, the front flexible cord having a length that is sufficient to allow a rider to grasp the front flexible cord with one of the rider's hands; and at least one rear flexible cord attached to the rear snowboard portion, the rear flexible cord having a length that is sufficient to allow a rider to grasp the rear flexible cord with the other rider's hands.
 2. The snowboard apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the at least one front flexible cord comprises two front flexible cords.
 3. The snowboard apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the at least one rear flexible cord comprises two rear flexible cords.
 4. The snowboard apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising front and rear fastening means, the front fastening means being attached to the front lengthwise end portion of the snowboard, the rear fastening means being attached to the rear lengthwise end portion of the snowboard, the front flexible cord being attached to front fastening means, the rear flexible cord being attached to the rear fastening means.
 5. The snowboard apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the front flexible cord is removably attached to the front fastening means and the rear flexible cord is removably attached to the rear fastening means.
 6. The snowboard apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising front and rear fastening members attached to the snowboard adjacent the front and rear lengthwise end portions, respectively, and wherein the front flexible cord is removably attached to the front fastening member and the rear flexible cord is removably attached to the rear fastening member.
 7. The snowboard apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the front and rear lengthwise end portions of the snowboard each have a generally curved perimetrical edge, and wherein the front and rear fastening members each have a geometrical shape that conforms to the generally curved perimetrical edges of the front and rear lengthwise end portions, respectively.
 8. The snowboard apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the front fastening member defines a channel sized for frictionally receiving the perimetrical edge of the front lengthwise end portion.
 9. The snowboard apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the front fastening member further comprises means for attaching thereto the end of the at least one front flexible cord.
 10. The snowboard apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the rear fastening member defines a channel sized for frictionally receiving the perimetrical edge of the rear lengthwise end.
 11. The snowboard apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the rear fastening member further comprises means for attaching thereto the end of the at least one rear flexible cord.
 12. The snowboard apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the front fastening member and rear fastening member each have a geometrical shape that conforms to the perimetrical edge of the front lengthwise end portion and the rear lengthwise end portion, respectively, the front fastening member and rear fastening member being positioned on the top surface of the snowboard, and wherein the snowboard apparatus further comprises a plurality of clip members that clamp the front and rear fastening members to the snowboard.
 13. The snowboard apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the front and rear fastening members each have a top surface that defines a plurality of groups of teeth, each clip member engaging a corresponding one of the groups of teeth.
 14. The snowboard apparatus according to claim 13 wherein each clip member has a generally “U” shape and defines an interior region that is sized for receiving a portion of a corresponding one of the fastening members and the snowboard.
 15. The snowboard apparatus according to claim 14 wherein each clip member includes a flange member that engages the teeth of a corresponding one of the plurality of groups of teeth.
 16. The snowboard apparatus according to claim 15 wherein each clip member includes a frictional member positioned within the interior region, the frictional member contacting the bottom surface of the snowboard.
 17. The snowboard apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a pair of handles, one handle being attached to the front flexible cord, the other handle being attached to the rear flexible cord.
 18. The snowboard apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a pair of cushion members, each cushion member being positioned between the top surface of the snowboard and a corresponding binding.
 19. A steering control for a snowboard having a top surface, a front lengthwise end portion, a rear lengthwise end portion and a bottom surface for contacting snow, comprising: front and rear fastening members configured to be attached to the front lengthwise end portion and rear lengthwise end portion, respectively, of the snowboard; at least one front flexible cord attached to the front fastening member, the front flexible cord having a length that is sufficient to allow a rider to grasp the front flexible cord with one of the rider's hands; at least one rear flexible cord attached to the rear fastening member, the rear flexible cord having a length that is sufficient to allow a rider to grasp the rear flexible cord with one of the rider's hands; and a plurality of clip members that clamp the front and rear fastening members to the snowboard.
 20. A surfboard comprising: a top surface; a front lengthwise end portion; a rear lengthwise end portion; at least one front flexible cord attached to the top surface near the front lengthwise end portion, the front flexible cord having a length that is sufficient to allow a rider to grasp the front flexible cord with one of the rider's hands; and at least one rear flexible cord attached to the top surface near the rear lengthwise end portion, the rear flexible cord having a length that is sufficient to allow a rider to grasp the rear flexible cord with one of the rider's hands. 